Vanda plant named ‘SPCDW1703’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Vanda  plant named ‘SPCDW1703’ which is characterized by large flowers with light red-purple petals and sepals that are reticulated and dotted dark red-purple, lateral petals with lightly to moderately undulated margins, a labellum with a very dark red-purple central lobe and light yellow lateral lobes which are lightly striped with dark purple, and the stability of these characteristics from generation to generation.

Latin name of the genus and species: The Latin name of the genus andspecies of the novel variety disclosed herein is Vanda spp. Jones ex R.Br.

Variety denomination: The inventive variety of Vanda disclosed hereinhas been given the variety denomination ‘SPCDW1703’.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to the Community Plant Variety Rightsapplication number 2017/1983, filed Aug. 9, 2017, which is hereinincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Parentage: The Vanda variety ‘SPCDW1703’ is the result of a plannedbreeding program. The new variety originated as a seedling from thecrossing of Vanda ‘A77’ (not patented), the seed parent, with Vanda‘SJ60’ (not patented), the pollen parent. Both parents were developedby, and are owned by, the inventor and were never commercially released.The crossing was made by the inventor in his research greenhouse inBangphra, Thailand in December of 1994.

The new variety was first selected in February of 1999, in a researchgreenhouse in Bangphra, Thailand belonging to the inventor. Afteridentifying the new variety as a potentially interesting selection, theinventor continued confidential testing and propagation of ‘SPCDW1703’,assessing stability of the unique characteristics of this variety.

Asexual Reproduction: Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar‘SPCDW1703’, by way of mericloning, was first initiated in October of2010 at a commercial laboratory belonging to the inventor in Bangphra,Thailand. Access to all plants was restricted, as plants were kept in agreenhouse not open to the public, and tissue culture plantlets were ina laboratory belonging to the inventor, and not accessible to thepublic. Through six subsequent generations, the unique features of thiscultivar have proven to be stable and true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘SPCDW1703’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype. The followingtraits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the uniquecharacteristics of ‘SPCDW1703’. These characteristics in combinationdistinguish ‘SPCDW1703’ as a new and distinct Vanda cultivar:

-   -   1. Vanda ‘SPCDW1703’ exhibits numerous large flowers borne on an        inflorescence carried slightly above the foliage; and    -   2. Vanda ‘SPCDW1703’ exhibits light red-purple lateral petals        which are heavily dotted dark red-purple; and    -   3. Vanda ‘SPCDW1703’ exhibits lateral petals with lightly to        moderately undulated margins; and    -   4. Vanda ‘SPCDW1703’ exhibits a light red-purple dorsal sepal        which is overlaid with dark red-purple reticulation and dotting;        and    -   5. Vanda ‘SPCDW1703’ exhibits light red-purple laterals sepals        which are overlaid with a dark red-purple reticulate color        pattern; and    -   6. Vanda ‘SPCDW1703’ exhibits a labellum with a very dark        red-purple central lobe, and light yellow lateral lobes which        are lightly striped with dark purple.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to makethe same in color photographs of this type, an exemplary plant of‘SPCDW1703’ grown in a commercial greenhouse in Honselersdijk, theNetherlands. This plant is approximately 6 years old from the time ofmericloning, shown planted in an 8 by 8 cm container.

FIG. 2 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to makethe same in color photographs of this type, the typical foliage of‘SPCDW1703’.

FIG. 3 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to makethe same in color photographs of this type, the typical inflorescence of‘SPCDW1703’.

FIG. 4 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to makethe same in color photographs of this type, the typical flower of‘SPCDW1703’.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following observations and measurements made in August of 2018describe averages from a sample set of six specimens of six year-old‘SPCDW1703’ plants grown in a greenhouse in Honselersdijk, theNetherlands. Temperatures were approximately 23 degrees Celsius duringthe day and 19 degrees Celsius at night. No photoperiodic or chemicaltreatments were given to the plants. No artificial light was given tothe plants.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristicswill vary with older or, conversely, with younger plants. ‘SPCDW1703’has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Wheredimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, it is tobe understood that such characteristics are approximations or averagesset forth as accurately as practicable. The phenotype of the variety maydiffer from the descriptions set forth herein with variations inenvironmental, climatic and cultural conditions. Color notations arebased on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, The RoyalHorticultural Society, London, 2015 (sixth edition).

A botanical description of ‘SPCDW1703’ and comparisons with the parentsand most similar commercial variety of Vanda are provided below.

-   Plant description:    -   -   Growth habit.—Perennial; monopodial, upright. Single            monopodial leafy stem, with flowers carried slightly above            the leaf plane; inflorescences growing from the leaf axils.        -   Average height from base (plant grown in hanging basket, so            no soil line present) to foliar plane.—33.6 cm.        -   Average height from base (plant grown in hanging basket, so            no soil line present) to top of floral plane.—42.0 cm.        -   Plant spread.—Average of 57.7 cm.        -   Appropriate container size.—8 cm by 8 cm rectangular hanging            basket.        -   Growth rate.—Moderate.        -   Plant vigor.—Moderate.        -   Propagation type.—Meristematic tissue culture propagation            using the base of the leaves.        -   Propagation details.—The time needed from for the start of a            mericlone to get the small plants ready for deflasking is            approximately 24 months under a controlled temperature of            about 26 degrees Celsius. After that period, plants have            matured roots. Plants start to make roots in the last 6            months in flasks. After deflasking they remain in a shaded            and controlled environment.        -   Disease and pest resistance or susceptibility.—Plants have            not been observed to be susceptible or resistant to            pathogens and pests common to Vanda.        -   Environmental tolerances.—Adapt to, at least, USDA Zones 11            and 12 and temperatures as high as 40 degrees Celsius; high            tolerance to rain; moderate to high tolerance to wind.-   Root system:    -   -   General.—Moderately to densely rooting; with aerial roots            only.        -   Dimensions, mature roots.—105.3 cm long with a diameter of            0.45 cm, on average.        -   Texture.—Very fleshy; non-fibrous.        -   Color.—Greyed-green, nearest to RHS 193B; root apex is            yellow-green, RHS 148A.-   Stem:    -   -   Branching habit.—Monopodial; no lateral branches present.        -   Number of primary (main) stems per plant.—One.        -   Number of secondary (lateral) branches per plant.—None.        -   Appearance and shape.—Circular, formed by the leaf sheaths.        -   Length.—21.0 cm.        -   Diameter.—0.9 cm.        -   Internode length.—1.0 cm.        -   Luster.—Matte.        -   Aspect, main stem.—Near vertical.        -   Strength.—Very strong.        -   Color, juvenile.—Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 145D.        -   Color, mature.—In between yellow-green, RHS 153D, and            greyed-yellow, RHS 162D.        -   Color at internodes.—In between yellow-green, RHS 153D, and            greyed-yellow, RHS 162D.        -   Pubescence.—Glabrous.-   Foliage:    -   -   Arrangement.—Distichous.        -   Dimensions.—20.2 cm long, excluding the sheath, and 2.7 cm            wide.        -   Shape of blade.—Ligulate; moderately to strongly carinate.        -   Aspect.—Moderately curved.        -   Apex.—Unequal praemorse.        -   Base.—Sheathing.        -   Sheath dimensions.—3.8 cm long and 1.2 cm wide, on average.        -   Sheath color.—Yellow-green, nearest to in between RHS 145A            and 145B.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Pubescence, texture and luster of adaxial surface.—Glabrous,            smooth, and matte.        -   Pubescence, texture and luster of abaxial surface.—Glabrous,            smooth, and matte.        -   Color.—Juvenile foliage, adaxial surface — Green, nearest to            RHS 143A; darker towards the apex and margins, nearest to            RHS 137A. Juvenile foliage, abaxial surface — Green, nearest            to RHS 143A; darker towards the apex and margins, nearest to            RHS 137B. Mature foliage, adaxial surface — Green, nearest            to RHS NN137B. Mature foliage, abaxial surface — Nearest to            in between green, RHS 143A, and yellow-green, RHS 144A.        -   Venation.—Pattern — Parallel. Color, adaxial surface —            Green, nearest to RHS 139A. Color, abaxial surface —            Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 144C.        -   Petiole.—No petioles present; leaves sessile.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Inflorescence arrangement.—Axially placed raceme.        -   Natural flowering season.—Autumn into winter.        -   Time to flower.—Approximately 10 months.        -   Flowers per inflorescence.—Average of 14.        -   Flowers per plant.—13 open flowers and 1 flower buds.        -   Inflorescence height.—Approximately 22.0 cm (measured from            base of lowest flower to top of upper flower).        -   Inflorescence diameter.—Approximately 18.2 cm.        -   Peduncle.—Dimensions — Approximately 37.4 cm long and 0.7 cm            wide. Aspect — Generally at a 30 degree angle to lateral            branch axis. Strength — Moderately strong. Texture and            luster — Glabrous and matte. Color — Yellow-green, nearest            to RHS 144A.-   Bud:    -   -   Length.—Average of 1.6 cm.        -   Diameter.—Average horizontal diameter is 1.8 cm; the            vertical diameter is 2.2 cm.        -   Shape.—Cubic, with a deltoid apex which is pointed downward.        -   Pubescence, texture and luster.—Glabrous, smooth and matte.        -   Color.—In between purple, RHS N77B, and greyed-purple, RHS            186A, and fading to greyed-green towards the base, nearest            to RHS 195D; apex is greyed-purple, nearest to RHS 186D; bud            is sparsely dotted purple, nearest to RHS N77A.-   Flower:    -   -   Flower type.—Zygomorphic (orchidaceous), typical shape for            the genus Vanda.        -   Flowering habit.—Moderately free flowering.        -   Shape.—Zygomorphic, single; consisting of three sepals and            three petals, one of which is transformed into a labellum;            the two lateral petals slightly to moderately overlap the            lateral sepals and touching the dorsal sepal; lateral sepals            slightly overlap one another.        -   Attitude.—Flowers are outward-facing to slightly nodding.        -   Vertical height.—Approximately 9.9 cm.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 9.3 cm.        -   Depth.—Approximately 3.4 cm.        -   Fragrance.—No fragrance.        -   Lastingness.—3 weeks, on average.        -   Persistent.—Self-cleaning.        -   Petals.—Quantity of Petals — Three unfused petals; two            conventional petals and one labellum. Arrangement — One            lateral petal on each side. Length — Approximately 4.5 cm.            Width — Approximately 4.2 cm. Shape — Broad obovate. Apex —            Obtuse. Base — Cuneate. Margin — Entire; lightly to            moderately undulated. Pubescence, texture and luster of            upper surface — Glabrous, velvety and matte. Pubescence,            texture and luster of lower surface — Glabrous, velvety and            matte. Color when opening, upper surface — White, nearest to            RHS 155B, and heavily suffused with greyed-purple, and more            so towards the margins and apex, nearest to RHS 186B;            heavily dotted greyed-purple, nearest to a mixture of RHS            186B, 186C, and N187C; base of the petal is greyed-purple,            nearest to RHS 187A. Color when opening, lower surface —            White, nearest to RHS NN155D, and heavily suffused with            greyed-purple towards the margins and apex, nearest to RHS            186C. Color when fully opened, upper surface — White,            nearest to RHS NN155C, and heavily suffused with red-purple,            and more so towards the margins and apex, nearest to a            mixture of RHS 64A and 64B; heavily dotted red-purple,            nearest to a mixture of RHS 60B, 61A, and 64C; base of the            petal is greyed-purple, nearest to RHS 185B. Color when            fully opened, lower surface — White, nearest to RHS N155A,            and suffused with green-white, nearest to RHS 157D; heavily            suffused with red-purple towards the margins and apex,            nearest to a mixture of RHS 72B and 72C. Fading, upper            surface — Not fading. Fading, lower surface — Not fading.            Venation — Densely reticulate on the upper surface; only the            main vein is visible on the lower surface. Venation color,            fully opened, upper surface — White, nearest to RHS NN155C,            and suffused with red-purple, and more so towards the            margins and apex, nearest to a mixture of RHS 64A and 64B;            heavily dotted red-purple, nearest to a mixture of RHS 60B,            61A, and 64C; base of the petal is greyed-purple, nearest to            RHS 185B. Venation color, fully opened, lower surface — Only            the main vein is visible; colored red-purple, nearest the            RHS 72C.        -   Labellum.—Shape — Three-lobed; the shape of the lateral            lobes is obovate, and the aspect is involute; the shape of            the central lobe is broad obovate to oblong, and the aspect            is slightly revolute. Length — Central lobe — Approximately            1.8 cm. Lateral lobes — Approximately 0.7 cm. Width —            Central lobe — Approximately 0.8 cm at the base; 1.2 at the            apex. Lateral lobes — Approximately 0.7 cm. Apex — Central            lobe — Emarginate. Lateral lobes — Emarginate. Base —            Central lobe — Cuneate. Lateral lobes — Cuneate. Margin —            Central lobe — Entire; lightly undulated. Lateral lobes —            Entire; not undulated. Texture and luster of upper surface —            Central lobe — Glabrous, velvety, and matte. Lateral lobes —            Glabrous, velvety, and matte. Texture and luster of lower            surface — Central lobe — Glabrous, velvety, and matte,            except for the apex which is moderately glossy. Lateral            lobes — Glabrous, velvety, and matte. Color when opening,            upper surface — Central lobe — Red-purple, nearest to RHS            71A, and fading to a lighter shade of red-purple towards the            base, nearest to RHS 72C. Lateral lobes — Yellow-green,            nearest to RHS 150D. Color when opening, lower surface —            Central lobe — Purple, nearest to RHS 75D, and becoming            red-purple, nearest the RHS 71A, at the upper one-third            portion of the lobe. Lateral lobes — Yellow-green, nearest            to RHS 150D. Color when fully opened, upper surface —            Central lobe — Nearest to in between red-purple, RHS 71A,            and purple, RHS N79B, and fading to a lighter shade of            red-purple towards the base, nearest the RHS 71A. Lateral            lobes — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 150D, and suffused with            yellow at the apex, nearest the RHS 5C; lightly striped            red-purple, nearest to RHS 70C. Color when fully opened,            lower surface — Central lobe — Purple, nearest to RHS 75D,            and becoming a dark shade of purple at the upper one-third            portion of the lobe, nearest the RHS N79B. Lateral lobes —            Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 150D, and lightly striped            red-purple, nearest to RHS 70D. Fading, upper surface — Not            fading. Fading, lower surface — Not fading. Venation — No            visible venation. Venation color, fully opened, upper            surface — Central lobe — No visible venation. Lateral lobes            — No visible venation. Venation color, fully opened, lower            surface — Central lobe — No visible venation. Lateral lobes            — No visible venation.        -   Callosities.—Dimensions — 1.3 cm long and 0.6 cm wide, on            average. Color — Red-purple, nearest to RHS 71A, and fading            to a lighter shade of red-purple towards the base, nearest            to a mixture of RHS 72B and 72C.        -   Spurs.—Quantity — Average of 1. Length — Approximately            0.7 cm. Diameter — Approximately 0.3 cm. Vertical height —            Approximately 0.6 cm, at the base. Shape — Short triangular;            flattened. Apex — Bluntly acute. Base — Broad cuneate.            Pubescence, texture and luster — Glabrous, smooth, and            matte. Color — White, nearest to RHS 155C, and radially            striped purple, nearest to RHS 75B.        -   Sepals.—Quantity — Average of 3 unfused sepals. Arrangement            — One dorsal sepal and two lateral sepals. Length — Dorsal            sepal — Approximately 4.7 cm. Lateral sepals — Approximately            5.3 cm. Width — Dorsal sepal — Approximately 4.2 cm. Lateral            sepals — Approximately 4.8 cm. Shape — Dorsal sepal — Broad            obovate. Lateral sepals — Broad obovate. Apex — Dorsal sepal            — Obtuse. Lateral sepals — Obtuse. Base — Dorsal sepal —            Cuneate. Lateral sepals — Cuneate. Margin — Dorsal sepal —            Entire; lightly undulated. Lateral sepals — Entire; lightly            undulated. Pubescence, texture and luster, upper surface —            Dorsal sepal — Glabrous, velvety, and matte. Lateral sepals            — Glabrous, velvety, and matte. Pubescence, texture and            luster, lower surface — Dorsal sepal — Glabrous, velvety,            and matte. Lateral sepals — Glabrous, velvety, and matte.            Color when opening, upper surface — Dorsal sepal — White,            nearest to RHS 155B, and heavily suffused with red-purple,            and more so towards the apex, nearest to RHS 64B; base of            the sepal is greyed-purple, nearest to a mixture of RHS 184B            and 184C. Sepal is heavily dotted greyed-purple, nearest to            a mixture of RHS 186B, 186C, and N187C. Lateral sepals —            Greyed-purple, nearest to a mixture of RHS 186B and 186C,            and fading to yellow-green towards the base, nearest the RHS            150D. Sepal is veined greyed-purple, RHS 186A. Color when            opening, lower surface — Dorsal sepal — White, nearest to            RHS NN155D, and heavily suffused with red-purple, even more            so towards the margins and apex, nearest to RHS 64C. Lateral            sepals — Greyed-green, nearest to RHS 169C, and suffused            with red-purple, more so towards the margins and apex,            nearest to a mixture of RHS 64B and 64C. Sepal is sparsely            dotted red-purple, nearest to RHS 63B. Color when fully            opened, upper surface — Dorsal sepal — White, nearest to RHS            NN155C, and heavily suffused with red-purple, and more so            towards the margins and apex, nearest to a mixture of RHS            64A and 64B; base of the sepal is greyed-purple, nearest to            RHS 185C. Sepal is heavily dotted with red-purple, nearest            to a mixture of RHS 60B, 61A, and 64C. Lateral sepals —            Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 150D, and heavily suffused with            red-purple, and more so towards the margins and apex,            nearest to a mixture of RHS 64A and 64B. Color when fully            opened, lower surface — Dorsal sepal — Purple, nearest to            RHS 76C, and suffused with pink towards the margins and            apex, nearest to a mixture of RHS NN74A and NN74B. Sepal is            sparsely dotted red-purple, nearest to a mixture of RHS 72A            and 72B. Lateral sepals — Greyed-green, nearest to RHS 169C,            and suffused with red-purple towards the margins and apex,            nearest to a mixture of RHS 70A and 70B. Fading, upper            surface — Not fading. Fading, lower surface — Not fading.            Venation — Densely reticulate. Venation color, fully opened,            upper surface — Dorsal sepal — White, nearest to RHS NN155C,            and suffused with red-purple, and more so towards the            margins and apex, nearest to a mixture of RHS 64A and 64B;            base is greyed-purple, nearest to RHS 185C. Heavily dotted            with red-purple, nearest to a mixture of RHS 60B, 61A, and            64C. Lateral sepals — Greyed-purple, nearest to RHS N186D.            Venation color, fully opened, lower surface — Dorsal sepal —            Purple, nearest to RHS 76B. Lateral sepals — Red-purple,            nearest to RHS 71B.        -   Pedicels.—Length — Approximately 5.2 cm. Diameter —            Approximately 0.4 cm. Angle — Approximately 80 degree angle            to peduncle axis. Strength — Moderate. Texture — Glabrous,            axially angled with 5 “ribs”, axially twisted (due to            resupination). Luster — Moderately glossy. Color — Purple,            nearest to RHS 77B, and becoming greyed-purple towards the            proximal end, nearest to RHS 181D.        -   Bract.—Quantity — One bract present at the base of each            pedicel. Shape — Broad oblong; folded around the base of            each pedicel. Dimensions — Average of 1.8 cm long and 1.0 cm            wide. Apex — Broad obtuse. Base — Broad cuneate. Margins —            Entire. Color, inner surface — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS            144B. Color, outer surface — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS            144B.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Column.—Length — Approximately 0.6 cm. Diameter —            Approximately 0.7 cm. Color — White, nearest to RHS 155B;            the upper surface is suffused with purple, nearest the RHS            77C.        -   Ovary.—Position — Inferior. Diameter — Approximately 0.2 cm.            Color — Green-white, nearest to RHS 157D.        -   Pollinia color. 13 Yellow-orange, nearest to RHS 14B.-   Seed and fruit: No fruit and seed production has been detected to    date.

COMPARISON WITH THE PARENT PLANTS

Plants of the new cultivar ‘SPCDW1703’ differ from the Vanda seedparent, ‘A77’ (not patented), by the characteristics described in Table1.

TABLE 1 Characteristic ‘SPCDW1703’ ‘A77’ Vigor; rate of growth. Slowergrowing than Faster growing than ‘A77’. ‘SPCDW1703’. Flowering habit.More freely flowering. Less freely flowering. Inflorescence length.Longer than ‘A77’. Shorter than ‘SPCDW1703’. Flower size. Larger than‘A77’. Smaller than ‘SPCDW1703’. General coloration of White andsuffused White and suffused with the petals and sepals with red-purple.blue. (excluding the overlaid color pattern) when fully opened.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘SPCDW1703’ differ from the Vanda pollenparent, Vanda ‘SJ60’ (not patented), by the characteristics described inTable 2.

TABLE 2 Characteristic ‘SPCDW17031’ ‘SJ60’ Vigor; rate of growth. Easierto propagate and More difficult to faster growing than ‘SJ60’. propagateand slower growing than ‘SPCDW1703’. Peduncle strength. Stronger than‘SJ60’. Weaker than ‘SPCDW1703’. Flower size. Larger than ‘SJ60’.Smaller than ‘SPCDW1703’. General coloration of White and suffused withWhite and suffused the petals and sepals red-purple. with (excluding theoverlaid violet-blue. color pattern) when fully opened.

COMPARISON WITH THE MOST SIMILAR VANDA CULTIVAR KNOWN TO THE INVENTOR

Plants of the new cultivar ‘SPCDW1703’ are similar to the cultivar,Vanda ‘SPCDW1512’ (European Community Plant Variety Rights grant number45556). A comparison of ‘SPCDW1703’ with Vanda ‘SPCDW1512’ is describedin Table 3.

TABLE 3 Characteristic ‘SPCDW1703’ ‘SPCDW1512’ Flower petal arrangement.Less overlapping. More overlapping. Petal undulation. More heavilyundulated. Not as undulated. General coloration of the White andsuffused with White and lateral sepals and petals red-purple. moreheavily when fully opened suffused (excluding the overlaid withred-purple. color pattern). Occurrence of spotting on Fewer spots. Morespots. the lateral petals. Overlaid color pattern of More reticulatedthan More spotted than the sepals. spotted. reticulated. Width of thecentral lobe More narrow than Wider than of the labellum. ‘SPCDW1512’.‘SPCDW1703’.

That which is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Vanda plantnamed ‘SPCDW1703’, substantially as described and illustrated herein.